Have been a massive fan of David Attenborough for most of my young adult life and see any new project of his without fail. Amazing images, information that entertains, teaches, moves and shocks, cute and menacing animals, complex mix of emotions and unforgettable sequences are abound in everything he does, and it is hard to not listen to his distinctive voice for hours. 'Seven Worlds, One Planet' looked great from the advertising and looked like one of the year's must sees.
Seeing all seven episodes, with each episode detailing one continent each, 'Seven Worlds, One Planet' was not a let down in any way. Perhaps not one of Attenborough's very finest but still a gem, and it doesn't matter that some of what is presented here is familiar ground (i.e. the opening scene of "Asia" being reminiscent of the 'Our Planet' episode "Frozen Worlds") because everything here is so brilliantly done with no obvious flaws. All seven episodes are equally brilliant and must sees.
Despite airing in the early evening instead of the usual post-watershed time, 'Seven Worlds, One Planet' is much darker, more unsettling and more emotionally devastating than one would think. Regarding whether it is suitable for younger audiences and whole families, there is more than enough to be educated and wowed by, that is easy to understand and is not too heavy or scary. Be warned that there is at least one bit in each episode that will disturb even older viewers not easily disturbed.
All the episodes look fantastic, not just the wonderfully varied environments and the dazzlingly vivid photography (i.e. the above shot of the humpback whales' spiral of bubbles) but also sequences that leaves one amazed at how they were caught on film, a lot of "South America" and everything with the male oxen in "Europe" being primary examples. The music is grandiose without being over-powering and add a lot to the emotional scenes.
Throughout, the narration entertains, thought-provokes and teaches. One is left to ponder on any issues addressed, and all the information makes a lot of harrowing impact and to me without being preached at. The animals, prey and predator, are a great mix of cute and menacing, a great mix of familiar and rare and are worth rooting for. The more maternal moments in "South America" and "Australia" are very human, as is any competing in the likes of "Asia" and "Europe", without any over-humanising.
Like all other Attenborough documentaries, 'Seven Worlds, One Planet' is so much more than just cute animals in beautiful habitats. It actually pulls no punches and the darker, more intense moments are actually pretty uncompromising. Many will be reaching for the hankies watching the weddell seal sequence ("Antarctica") and the opening of "Asia", biting their nails watching wolves hunting at night and fighting male oxen (both in "Europe"), amazed by the determination and instinct of the puma and dingo mothers, ahhing at any baby animals like the bears in "North America", unsettled by what is said or shown about the environment (the gales and a lot of the final episode "Africa"), amused by competing for mating in "Asia" and the hamster action in "Europe" and shocked by an unexpected jump-scare moment where flinching is guaranteed.
Cannot praise Attenborough himself enough. He delivers the information so sincerely and enthusiastically, without talking down, and he is easily in the top 10 of voices that one can listen to for hours tirelessly.
In summary, wondrous. 10/10
